Teams took delivery of the first production chassis
Hyundai Motorsport passed another major milestone in their expanding involvement in racing last week with the first handovers of i30 N TCR chassis to customers.
The two teams which travelled to Hyundai Motorsport headquarters in Alzenau, Germany to take delivery of their new cars showed both the global appeal of the i30 N TCR, and the widespread success of the TCR regulations as a whole. Management, including Team Principal Michel Nandan and Customer Racing Manager Andrea Adamo greeted the representatives of KMSA, from South Korea, and Italian squad BRC Racing Team and took part in the ceremony formally handing-over the cars.
One of the biggest names in motorsport in South Korea KMSA showed their interest in the i30 N TCR soon after the project was officially announced in February 2017. They are the technical partner for a number of racing series in the country, including one-make championships featuring Hyundai machinery. However, the purchase of an i30 N TCR is the first step for the team in the category, which is represented locally by the TCR Asia and newly confirmed TCR Korea series.
BRC Racing Team, the racing department of BRC Gas Equipment, has filled the role of development partner for the i30 N TCR throughout the year. Following their very positive first-hand experience of the performance and reliability of the i30 N TCR they have selected to continue their work as privateers, focusing on translating their knowledge of the car into successful seasons in the highly competitive national and international TCR series.
High-performance, competitively priced
The day marked the next step for the project; Hyundai Motorsports first designed specifically for circuit racing. In line with the TCR regulations the i30 N TCR is powered by a two-litre turbocharged engine that produces around 350hp, with the power sent to the front wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox, operated by paddles on the steering wheel.
The i30 N TCR is designed for customers competing in the growing number of series worldwide where TCR-specification machinery is eligible to compete, including the FIA World Touring Car Cup that will form the premier Touring Car category in international motorsport during the 2018 season. Options are available for privateers to configure the car for both sprint and long-distance racing. The endurance pack available includes ABS, additional lighting and a kit allowing for fast refueling during pitstops.
The i30 N TCR is competitively priced at 128.000. Attractive spare parts discounts are available to customers who purchase more than one chassis in a single purchase, with up to 28.000 offered to teams confirming four cars.
Performance proven on track
The delivery of the first cars to customers comes following the last of three race events at the close of the 2017 season which completed the extensive initial testing schedule for the i30 N TCR. At each event, the TCR International Series weekends in China and Dubai, as well as the TCR Europe Trophy event at the Adria International Raceway, the Hyundai proved to be the fastest TCR package available.
Driver Gabriele Tarquini claimed a dominant victory on the i30 N TCRs competitive debut at the Zhejiang Circuit in China. Despite the extremely heavy-handed Balance of Performance (BoP) given to the car following its maiden weekend the Italian added a first pole position for the i30 N TCR in Adria. He went on to claim a second position and a win from the two races, the latter coming from tenth position on the partially reversed grid.
Both Tarquini and teammate Alain Menu were again on the pace at the TCR International Series finale in Dubai, setting some of the fastest times throughout practice and qualifying, with Tarquini taking fastest lap in the second race, despite being hit by a rival on the opening lap.
Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing manager Andrea Adamo said: The first deliveries of i30 N TCR to customers is obviously a major step in this very important project. It marks the end of a busy period of development running at circuits and events around the world for the team. We have developed a very strong package for the TCR regulations, and that is shown in our results in the three events where we have competed. The handover of the first chassis is only the start of the work we must do, not only in building cars for our growing list of customers, but also supporting the teams as they prepare for the 2018 season to make sure they are able to compete at the front of their chosen championship.
Deliveries of the i30 N TCR to customers will continue throughout the winter. Orders are still open for teams to receive their new cars in time for the beginning of the 2018 season.